Full Name: Christopher Russell Dalkin
DOB: 3rd March 1962
Clubs: Tatyoon, Koonung Heights, East Box Hill, Nth Melbourne, Sth Yarra, McKinnon, Belgrave, Royal Park Brunswick & UK based clubs of Kenilworth, HYDE & Buckingham.
Nicknames: Skills, Cowboy or Aussie

Q1 - What year(s) did you come over and play for Hyde CC?

I played in the 2000 & 2001 seasons.

Q2 – What are your best memories of your cricketing career?

Firstly having the opportunity to represent one's country in the U.19 tour of Pakistan in 1981 ( side note, lead the Bowling and batting averages for the tour!)( I bet you didn't know that I opened the bowling for the Aussie U.19 team!. Was first change for Victoria in the state carnivals, and batted no.6. But in the tests in Pakistan I found myself bowling the 2nd over of the match and batting at no.10! Batted at no.4 by the 3rd test!!)
Cricket is a unique game, where there's a fair bit of "down" time (ie. a lot of chatting ), many memories of that. Winning Grand Finals - bit like how you guys felt in winning the league last year. There's bigger and more important things in life but on that Saturday night, after securing the victory, and seeing smiling faces, tears of joy, well there's no place you'd rather be. Also I've had the opportunity to spend 4 seasons over in the UK. Kenilworth in '92, Hyde and later Buckingham in '03. Every time I think of the Low, it makes me smile. My caravan, living AT the club and most of all, playing on that magic little ground.

Q3 – Have you ever regretted anything about your career? (If so, what would you do differently given the chance again)

Was reading John Ashley's Q & A. and he mentioned about being young and bowling flat out! Ditto. Well through one's teens this was doing wonders for one's back! We didn't know anything different back then ( side note: during state U.19 championships in one game against W.A. I bowled 25 overs straight!). Hence have been paying for it since. Two spinal fusion operations later. Had a choice at 19 years of age to follow Aussie rules career or cricket career? Hmmmm chose footy.

Q4 – Do you still keep in contact with anybody at Hyde CC?

This Facebook thing is brilliant when it comes to keeping in touch with you guys. Keep an eye on at least 20 or more of you blokes. Oh and since I left in "01 I've had 3 Hyde boys, Daniel "Slash" Walker, Mark "Leathal' Leathley and Glyn "Captain" Peacock come over here and spend a cricket summer out here in the land of Oz. Slash was here at the time of my Mum's 70th birthday so his little head is in the photos on the wall at Mum's place! Keep in touch with the Duffy's ( had many Friday night meals at their place) caught up with newly weds Bobby and Natalie Brierley when they were out here. To sum up, I may be on the other side of the world but I keep an eye on the Low. And all the young ones who have now grown up!!!! And had babies!

Q5 – Who is the quickest bowler you’ve ever faced? (Any stories about your experience)

Out here in the land of Oz, we played on hard wickets like Malthoid and then carpet. Playing with 2 piece balls it was like the balls GAINED pace off the pitch. During my club cricket I've had numerous ( names are unimportant) quicks who I've faced without a helmet (yep, we didn't have them back then). I look back, wholly crap! When I was 18 I played for country Victoria against the touring Indian side. The bowling attack included Kapil Dev, Roger Binny, Karsan Ghavri ( might have to look them up). Well I was next in, and then down came the rain! I have NEVER thanked the rain as much as I did that day. And in the UK I agreed to play for Cheshire Cats in a friendly in '01. Some West Indian ( if I went to my diary I'd find his name) but he was playing for opposition. It was a hard green top ( dead set dangerous) and I come out to bat without helmet. Well for the next 5 balls he tried to kill me! After I realised what was going on, ashe bowled the 5th ball I just walked away from stumps and watched it sail 4 foot over the top of them again. I suggested "why don't you try and F%*@ing hit those 3 things standing in the pitch". Normally I'd take them on, but this was a Tuesday afternoon friendly. That Barrington Brown ( and he was old by now) and Cotterill fella were a fairly sharp opening pair. Ryan Driver made a ton against them at Werneth Low with the ball seaming everywhere ( I had lasted 4 balls, let one go and lost my off stump). One of the best tons I've seen. Oh and playing for the Crusaders (old veterans etc) in '07 we played a touring MCC side. It included Dion Kruis ( pro'd for Yorkshire and others). Yes there's quicker, but here I am going out to bat as a 45 y.o ( without a helmet) and thinking "I don't need this in my life".

Q6 – Best Hyde CC player during your time at the club?

Good question. John Buckley was coming to the end of his proper playing days because of his back, but in the half a season I saw of him you could just see the technique. John Ashley was having back probs too, although him and I always used to put on a partnership against Bowden, wouldn't say much at the end of each over, just both of us had that ......look. And THAT'S why you play the game! Young James Duffy was.................young and showing he could certainly bat. What a shame he didn't have that 10 years under his belt when I was there! I would've batted 3 and him 4 Ha! I reckon there could have been some enjoyable afternoons. Ryan Driver reminds me of a modern day Alistair Cook. I thought he would've gone onto much bigger things. That straight drive of his made you duck and weave at non strikers end! Oh heard all the stories of the Jim Allens and Bruce Edgars from Pete Hardman and my over 40's mates ( I was their umpire on the Wed nights).

Q7 – What are your best stories about your time at Hyde CC?

My hatrick!!! No? 3 x LBW's. Those who were there will remember it. Anyway, enough about me! The boys made the Cheshire Cup final in '01. Bus trip over to new Brighton ( I think) with Statto's "Sword Dagger Damage". WTF? John Ashley throwing a boot at Leathal! The voice of John Buckley. "Oh, Buckers is here". Brilliant. But the biggest story for me is the CORE group of youngsters at the club that have stayed on and culminated in winning the league. Because our team was so young in my 2 years, that confidence, swagger and banter was missing a bit. No doubt once you start winning games and challenging and then realising you're good enough to win it, out comes the confidence. And cricket is so much more enjoyable when you're winning!

Q8 – What was your proudest moment in your career?

Making the Australian U.19 side ( twice) is something you don't realise at the time, the first year as a Capt/Coach of a club here in Melb I made 200 in the Grand Final, but, like most players, you like to be tested at the highest level you can. In '92 I was the overseas player at Kenilworth ( next to Birmingham). We were playing in a division down from the top but due to one of our senior players Managing the League side, I secured a spot. We had a game against a touring Indian side and I got 70 odd and then against a deaf side and made a few. Well, We, the Home Breweries League, ended up playing The Birmingham League in a national knockout comp. David Houghton ( ex Zimbabwe test player) captained and the side was full of Pro's. Bottom line, would've been competitive against most 1st class teams. Well they made 172 of 40 ( got a couple of wickets) and then we were 5 for 51 ( and all our gun bats in the shed) when I strode to crease. Well, we needed 4 runs off last over, 9 down. Well last ball I needed 2 to win and I was on 74. Clubbed it and was caught! Lost by a run! Our little non nondescript league had pushed them. You can imagine the feeling. In the rooms after, our team manager walked over to me ( my head buried) and ruffled the hair on my head " Oh...we nearly had 'em! I looked up at him with tears in my eyes. Dean Marsh, from Highway C C, was our gun bat and was sitting next to me. He looked at me and said "I've seen a lot of Aussies come over here and play.....I haven't seen too many better" and he shook my hand.

Q9 - Is it true that you were a pro Aussie rules player?

That is true ( as mentioned earlier). Here's a couple of links. Played with Collingwood and then Port Adelaide. Oh they're from a game at the MCG in 1983. Only 72,000 were there. Knee reconstruction and back problems ( culminating in 2 spinal fusions) made it all came to an end when I was 26.

https://onedrive.live.com/?cid=89C4792C1A1793AE&id=89C4792C1A1793AE!376&v=3

https://onedrive.live.com/?cid=89C4792C1A1793AE&id=89C4792C1A1793AE!377&v=3

https://onedrive.live.com/?cid=89C4792C1A1793AE&id=89C4792C1A1793AE!370&v=3 This was from my time at Port Adelaide. Make sure you listen to the commentary! Ha.

Q10 – Will we ever see you back at the Werneth Low bar?

Yes you will. Both my brother Brett ( was there in '97) will get back over there, hopefully in next 5 years. ( and I'll bring a pair of creams) ( just in case). I was last there in '05, since then the new change rooms have been built. Need to get there one Saturday afternoon and sit on that balcony and watch Duffers land the ball on the roof!
One final word. The Hyde cricket & Squash club is a cherished part of my life. Ask any of the Aussies who have visited. Same answer. That ground and the community that LIVES there are unique. Look after it. Continue doing what you're doing and the kids will line up to be a part of it.